Weft spreading machine



June 25, 1963 I A. PICKUP 3,094,760

' WEFT SPREADING MACHINE Filed Oct. 20, 1960 Sheets-Sheet 1 ArnoldPICKUP Filed Oct. 20, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lzvw-wro Arnold PICKUP ATIDE/VATS June 25, 1963 A. PICKUP 3,094,760

WEFT SPREADING MACHINE Filed Oct. 20, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet s llwilvr kArne/d PIC K UP June 25, 1963 PICKUP 3,094,760

WEFT SPREADING MACHINE Filed Oct. 20, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 w T a I i Vi'.,' m I I 15 15 I 19 I K 9 i I 9 Mk '1 l I M 1 t 07 I 67 i 67 19 ll AI" "l 5 .59 57 51 I t 5 5 I- I? a I I, I I. v

El 0 4 I y INVENTOR- Arno/d PICKUP ATTORNEKS United States Patent3,094,760 WEFT SPREADING MACHINE Arnold Pickup, 193 College St., Magog,Quebec, Canada Filed Oct. 20, 1960, Ser. No. 63,834 4 Claims. (Cl.26-54) This invention relates to a machine intended to stretch or spreadthe shrunk wefts of woven textile fabrics.

In the textile industry, woven fabrics are subjected to varioustreatments, after being woven, which cause the Weft threads to shrinkconsiderably. In an attempt to overcome this shrinkage, the material isstretched side ways,-i.e., the weft threads-are spread in a spreadingmachine known as a stenter frame. In this machine or frame, the edges orselvages ofthe fabric are held in clips and the material is movedforwardly, while the clips on either side are pulled away from eachother, to sub-. mit the wefts to a spreading action. At the end of theframe, the clips release their hold on the selvages.

1 However, spreading by pulling from the selvages only, does not stretchthe material uniformly, and, has little effect on the center, because ofthe great many warp strands that reinforce the material. During thisspreading process, the material takes a severe overstretch, and is oftenfatally damaged, as when there are broken wefts within a short distancefrom the selvages. This overstretch usually means trouble. for thetailors, dress-makers and other garment manufacturers.

An'object of the invention is, to provide a machine capable ofrelievingthe shrinkage of textile fabrics by stretching the weft thereofuniformly over the full width, i.e., from the center on to the selvages.Such a machine will greatly reduce the strain to which the wefts aresubjected, by dividing the force applied along the full width of thematerial, instead of from the two longitudinal edges only.

Another object of the invention, is to provide a device that will spreadthe weft of a fabric in conjunction with the stretching clips of thestandard stretching frame, but, by so doing, decreasing considerably thespreading tension to be applied by the clips of the frame. I Theinvention has also been devised with the object of providing a simplemechanism having a minimum of moving partsso as to render maintenance amatter of secondary importance.

These objects are attained by the provision, between "ice Patented June25, 196.?

The principle of the invention will readily be understood by inspectionof FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

From FIG. 3, it is seen that the woven textile fabric E travels in thedirection indicated by arrows MM. The fabric is held in slightlystretched condition by means of a series of standard clips F, clampingthe longitudinal edges or selvages. These clips travel on a stenter G ofa known type and release their grip at the end of their forward travelwhen the spreading operation is terminated. As mentioned above, thematerial or fabric is forced to move in betweenpairs of disks, settwo-by-two. Each disk has a conical surface made to face the conicalsurface of the other disk of the set in opposed relationship.Inass'embled position, these disks are made to contact one another alonglines such as AB, A. B, CD and CD of FIGURE 3. It will be notedthat-these lines are offset from the center lines AA and CC, apredetermined angle. ,1 p

Although reference is made to contact lines AB, etc., theselinesare-relatively wide because of the slight pressure applied on the disksand would appear to be properly referred to by the name radial contactportions.

The angles of inclination of lines AB, AB in relation to line AA, whichis normal to the direction of travel, are substantially equal so that aweft caught between two points, for instance a point a on line AB and acorresponding point b on line AB, will be substantially parallel to lineAA. I

Because the meeting line or contact portion, AB, AB, ofthe disks isrelatively wide, the grip on weft ab will not be instantaneous but willlast untiljeach of points a and b have travelled a short arc of circle.Since the disks move in reverse direction, itwill be appreciated thatthe weft, between points a and b is subjected to $11 outward pull whichtends to spread or stretch the we t.

e In the case of the forward disks of FIG. 3, a similar reasoning may beapplied except that in this case, the spreading movement is from point Dto point C and point D to point C'.

In the above discussion, points A, A', C, C are, of

- course, the centers of the disks, whereas points B, B,

the two parallel series of clips on a stenter weft spreadtheir axisofrotation make an angle of less than 90 with the horizontal plane ofthe fabric, they meet along a fixed line in the said plane. Furthermore,this fixed meeting line also makes an angle of less than 90 with theline normal to the line of travel of the fabric; The rotation of the twodisks of one set being reverse in relation to the rotation of the twodiscs of the other set, each weft is subjected to a point-by-pointoutward stretch.

A better understanding of the invention will be had, by the followingdescription, having reference to the appended drawings wherein: i

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of two: sets of two rotating disks asmounted on a spreading frame, one set of disks being shown incross-section.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of another two sets of disks, alsopartly in section.

FIG. 3 is a view, in plan, of the sets of disks of FIGS. '1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the spreader of the invention.

D, D are peripheral points. We now come to a detailed description of thestructural features of the invention in a machine using four sets ofdisks. i

The aforesaid sets of disks are mounted on a stenter frame whichcomprises a series of parallel transverse supports, generally denoted bynumeral 1 which may be formed of a U-sh'aped structural member 3suitably stiffened by brace 5. i

Each spreading assembly itself or a pair of related discs includes adriving disk 7 and a driven disk 9, each generally circular and having aconical surface on one sideand a'hub 11 on the other side. Each disk, onthe hub side, is provided with a central circular recess 12, adapted toreceive a supporting pin, 13 for the driving disk 7 and 15 for thedriven disk 9.

The tips 17 of pins 13 and 15, which sit in recesses 12, are inclined tothe vertical an angle less than 90, and corresponding to the taper orbase angle of the conical faces of disks 7 and 9. Separating these tips17 from 3 with the description of the principle of the invention, i.e.,the angle that lines AB, AB, CD, CD make with lines AA and CC.

It will be realized, that the diameti'al line passing by the uppermostpoint of the inclined annular abutting surface of each flange 19, givesthe aforesaid angle of inclination of the disks. Therefore, by rotatingthis flange 19, the said uppermost point rotates and the angle ofinclination varies. A study of FIGS. 2. and 3 will show how this angleis varied by means of a system of levers.

To each upper and lower abutting flange 19 is rigidly fixed a radial arm23 at the end of which is pivotally connected a lever. The upper andlower levers of the disks P and S will be referred to as levers 27 whilethe upper and lower levers of disks Q and R will be called levers 29. Inthe case of upper driven disks 9, arms 23 may be fixed directly ontoflanges 19, whereas, on the lower disks 7, they may be connected to asquared end 31 (FIG. 1) of each supporting pin 13. It will be realized,that in order to produce an even spreading of the weft threads, theangle of inclination of lines AB, AB, CD and CD with center lines AA andCC must be equal. In the operation of the machine, it would beadvantageous to vary this angle simultaneously and through the samevariation for the four sets of disks working two by two.

As an example, if it is desired to decrease the angles of contact withlines AA and CC, levers 27 of disks P and S will have to be moved to theright of FIG. 3 while levers 29 of disks Q and R will have to be movedin the opposite direction, that is, to the left of FIG. 3. Suitablearrows are shown on levers 27 and 29 to indicate the movements.Displacements of the levers in reverse to those just given will, ofcourse, increase the angles of contact. Such movements are obtained bymeans of the preferred mechanism shown on the right of FIG. 1. Themechanism of FIG. 1 is for the simultaneous actuation and control ofdisks P and Q. A similar arrangement would be provided for disks R andS.

Upper and lower levers 27 of disks P are connected together through aventical brace 33, and each one is also joined to a lever 29 of discs Qby the intermediary of a gusset 35. Whereas one end of gusset 35 isrigidly fixed to each arm 27, the other end is a hollow element withinwhich telescopes a lever 29. To prevent rotation of the latter, one ortwo longitudinal slots 37 are cut on each lever 29, within which fits apin located inside the hollow element of gusset 35.

Levers 29 are provided with threaded ends 41, received within internallythreaded sleeves 43. These sleeves are also threaded on the outside, androtate within internally threaded members which are part of brackets 39,mounted on structural support 1. The threads on levers 29, are ofopposite inclination to those outward threads on bracket members 39, andhave a pitch equal to twice the pitch of the said threads of members 39.Consequently, when sleeves 43 move a certain distance in one direction,levers 29 move the same distance but in opposite direction. This is astandard differential screw arrangement.

Vertical brace 33 is fixed against displacement relative to sleeves 43,although the latter are freely rotatable in suitable supportingapertures of the former. Finally, sleeves 43 are set in synchronizedrotation by means of sprocket chain and gear arrangement 45 of FIG. 1. Ahandwheel 47 fixed to one of the gears will provide the necessaryrotation when operated.

In FIG. 1, whenever Wheel 47 is rotated, sleeves 43 and consequentlylevers 27, will move in a certain direction a predetermined distance.Because of the specific differential screw arrangement just mentioned,levers 29 will also move the same distance, but in opposite direction.The variation in the angle of inclination of the two sets of disks (P,Q) will be the same for each set.

As aforesaid, a similar arrangement may be provided for the sets ofdisks R and S.

The driving mechanism for the disks is clearly depicted in FIGS. 1, 2and 4. All of the power is derived from a common shaft 49, onto whichare mounted a series of sprocket wheels 51, connected to driven wheels53 (FIG. 4) mounted on stub shafts 55 (FIGS. 1 and 2). These shafts 55are rotatably received in suitable apertures located on two parallelvertical extensions 57 and 59 of cast bodies 21, which bodies furtherhold driving shaft 49 and are fixed to braces 5 of support 1.

Extensions 57 of cast bodies 21 are sleeve-like in form, and act asseats for supporting pins 13 which, as aforesaid, are rotatable abouttheir axes but are not driven thereabout. Over sleeve extensions 57, andin alignment therewith, are flanged rings 61 also circumscribing supporting pins 13. Each of said rings have an upward surface provided withan annular recess within which rests the abutment flange 19, while abevelled gear 63 is cut around the peripheral edge thereof. Thisbevelled gear 63 is driven into rotation by a pinion 65 fixed to onedriving stub shaft 55, rotated by means of the sprocket wheeland-chainarrangement previously described.

Fan-god rings 61 are meant to bring driving disks 7 into rotation. Sincethe upper surface of rings 61 moves in a horizontal plane while disks 7rotate in a plane inclined in relation to the former plane, a specialdriving mechanism has been devised which is best seen in FIG. 4. Itconsists of one or more sets of two spaced lugs upstanding from theupper surface of flanged rings 61. These lugs co'operatingly engage pins69 projecting downwardly from the under-surface of disks 7. Thus, lugs67 bring the disks 7 into rotation, by engagement with pins 69 and forcethem to ride the inclined surface of stationary abutment flange 19. Asseen from FIG. 4, pins 69 travel in a vertical reciprocating motionduring rotation of the disks 7.

The cooperating conical surfaces of disks 7 and 9 are covered with arubbery substance, so that, when pressure is made to bear on the upperdisks, 9, they will be made to rotate with lower disks 7 by frictionexisting therebetween. This pressure may be applied by a fluid actingupon the upper face of supporting pins 15, acting as pistons incylindrical chambers 73 of supporting elements 75 (FIG. 1). Thispressure may be fed by a piping system 77 from any suitable sourcefeeding the various upper supporting pins 15 to ensure uniform pressurethroughout. By having a resisting spring 79 opposing the action of thefluid pressure within chamber 73, it would be possible to free the disksfrom one another by simply cutting off the pressure.

To prevent plucking of the material, it is also foreseen that each diskshould have a short diameter cavity (FIG. 1) at its center.

What I claim:

1. A weft spreading machine for stretching a travelling woven fabriccomprising: at least two pairs of rotating circular disks, said pairs ofdiscs being adjacent and extending across the width of the fabric; thedisks of each pair having equiangular conical surfaces disposed infaceto-face relationship and pressed against one another from theirapices to the circumferential edges thereof; said woven fabric adaptedto move between said pairs of disks in a predetermined direction;upright supports on which the disks of each pair are centrally mountedfor rotation; said supports having inclined tips the axes of whichextend through the apices of the conical surfaces of said discs so as toallow said surfaces to contact one another along a radial portion lyingin the horizontal plane of the woven fabric and means for rotating saidsupports about their axes so that the radial contacting portions of saidpairs of disks made equal angles with said predetermined direction oftravel of said fabric.

2. A weft spreading machine for stretching a travelling 'woven fabriccomprising: at least two pairs of rotating circular disks, said pairs ofdiscs being adjacent and extending across the width of the fabric; thedisks of each pair having equiangular conical surfaces disposed infaceto-face relationship and pressed against one another from theirapices to the circumferential edges thereof; said woven fabric adaptedto move therebetween in a predetermined direction; the disksof each pairbeing centrally mounted for rotation on supports; the supports includingcoaxial vertical pins each terminated at one end with an inclinedcylindrical tip to allow said conical surfaces of discs of each pair tocontact with one another along a radial portion lying in the horizontalplane of the woven fabric; means for rotating said supports of eachpairs of discs about the common axis of the pins so that the radialportions of said pairs of disks make equal angles with saidpredetermined direction of travel of said fabric; the common axis lyingin a plane normal to said predetermined direction.

3. A weft spreading machine for stretching a travelling woven fabriccomprising: at least two pairs of rotating circular disks, said pairs ofdiscs being adjacent and extending across the width of the fabric; thedisks of each pair having equiangul-ar conical surfaces disposed infaceto-face relationship and pressed against one another from theirapices to the circumferential edges thereof; said woven fabric adaptedto move therebetween in a predetermined direction; the disks of eachpair being centrally mounted for rotation on supports having coaxialvertical pins each terminated at one end with an inclined cylindricaltip to allow said conical surfaces of said discs of each pair to contactone another along a radial portion lying in the horizontal plane of thewoven fabric; an abutment flange radially extending from each support,on said pin and adjacent said tip, and having a radial surface normal tothe tip aXis; an abutment surface :on each said disk adapted to rest,during rotation, on the flange radial surface; leverage means forrotating said supports of each pair of discs about the common axis ofthe pins so that the radial portions of said pairs of disks make equalangles with said predetermined direction of travel of said fabric; thecommon axis lying in a plane normal to said predetermined direction.

4. A weft spreading machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the disks ofeach pair comprise a lower disk and 'an upper disk; the pincorresponding to the support of each of the lower disks being receivedin a cylindrical vertical extension of a supporting body fixed to aframe; a freely rotatable sleeve around said pin over said cylindricalextension; said sleeve having an annular horizontal shoulder over whichis located the abutment flange of said support, entrainment meansbetween said shoulder and lower disk; means driving said sleeve intorotation whereby each of said lower disks are brought into notationthrough the intermediary of said entrainment means, the upper discsbeing driven by said lower discs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 71,990Corpe Dec. 10, 1867 2,581,821 Sutton Jan. 8, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 20,558Great Britain of 1892

1. A WEFT SPREADING MACHINE FOR STRETCHING A TRAVELLING WOVEN FABRICCOMPRISING: AT LEAST TWO PAIRS OF ROTATING CIRCULAR DISKS, SAID PAIRS OFDISCS BEING ADJACENT AND EXTENDING ACROSS THE WITH OF THE FABRIC; THEDISKS OF EACH PAIR HAVING EQUIANGULAR CONICAL SURFACES DISPOSED INFACETO-FACE RELATIONSHIP AND PRESSED AGAINST ONE ANOTHER FROM THEIRAPICES TO THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL EDGES THEREOF; SAID WOVEN FABRIC ADAPTEDTO MOVE BETWEEN SAID PAIRS OF DISKS IN A PREDETERMINED DIRECTION;UPRIGHT SUPPORTS ON WHICH THE DISKS OF EACH PAIR ARE CENTRALLY MOUNTEDFOR ROTATION; SAID SUPPORTS HAVING INCLINED TIPS THE AXES OF WHICHEXTEND THROUGH THE APICES OF THE CONICAL SURFACES OF SAID DISCS SO AS TOALLOW SAID SURFACES TO CONTACT ONE ANOTHER ALONG A RADIAL PORTION LYINGIN THE HORIZONTAL PLANE OF